Healthy lifestyle ties into Festival of Ballooning

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end Sunday with large crowds enjoying the event that included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
(Photo:
Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer
)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Joan Jett rocks the crowd during her afternoon concert on the main stage. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. A young girl spins upside down as she takes her turn on a bungee cord ride at the festival. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Here people walk along one of the two midways at the festival. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The Batmoblie and the Pontiac GTO from the TV show The Monkees on display at the festival. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. A lot of balloon related gifts on sale at the festival. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Joan Jett rocks the crowd during her afternoon concert on the main stage. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

The 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning held at Solberg Airport in Readington came to an end with large crowds enjoying the festival which included a concert by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Joan Jett rocks the crowd during her afternoon concert on the main stage. On Sunday July 27,2014 Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Staff Photographer (Photo: Mark R. Sullivan/Gannett)

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READINGTON – Though Day 3 of the 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning saw a dip in attendance due to the warning of possible thunderstorms, Sunday proved to be fun and informative for those who came. Called Health and Wellness Day, attendees started the day off with "Sunrise Yoga" and a Jazzercise warm-up before the annual Advil "Running with the Balloons" 5K.

The QuickChek Festival of Ballooning is a three-day event at Solberg Airport hailed as the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. Inflations and ascensions of 100 sport and special-shaped hot air balloons occurred twice daily, and this year's concerts featured America, Hot Chelle Rae, 3 Doors Down and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, as well as many other entertainers and demonstrators.

Doling out samples of chicken tomato basil sausage and recipes for garlic and thyme shrimp and beer can chicken, Eddie Andujar of Passanante's Home Food Services said his booth was "pretty popular."

"As soon as we say organic, I notice people's eyebrows go up and they start asking questions," Andujar said. "We have been around since 1916 and offer all natural meats, wild caught seafood and organic vegetables. I think people are becoming more aware that what they have been eating is not good for your body."

Dreyer's Outshine representatives were stationed at the entrance of the festival handing out free samples of icy tangerine carrot fruit bars. Offerings of chilled Bolthouse Farms and V8 fusion drinks and smoothies were also available. On a hot day, not only were these treats healthy, but extremely refreshing.

Besides food and drinks, the festival featured material goods and craft items geared towards a healthy and environmentally friendly way of life. Many guests were lounging in the Yogibo tent testing out the different sofas, chairs, recliners and beds. An updated version of a bean bag chair, these multi-use pieces of furniture contour to the body and give support where needed, said vendor John Sinonowits.

"The furniture is chiropractor recommended," Sinonowits said. "There are no pressure points on the back or spine. We have found these are also great for those with special needs, such as autistic children. It seems to help those with sensory issues."

At the festival with her mom, Denise Rumpeltin, and friend Jake Fiordelisi, 14, Sharon Rumpeltin, 14, of Oakland said she sat down in a chair and didn't want to get up. She is hoping to get one for Christmas.

"It's really fun and comfortable," she said. "I could sit here for hours."

Businesses out of recycling, nature

Some take their love of all things natural and turn them into side businesses. Musician Jenny Woods of Red Bank came up with the idea of recycling her guitar strings into pieces of jewelry about four years ago. She created High Strung Studios.

"I was changing the strings on my guitar and came up with this idea," she said. "Now, I don't feel so bad when I break a string."

Musicians from around the world donate used strings to her and she turns them into bracelets, earrings and necklaces. She also donates a portion of the proceeds to Musicians on a Mission, a nonprofit organization that supports local musicians and local charities.

Like High Strung Studios, Rebecca Tapper of Colts Neck is also a first-timer at the festival. After hearing many reports about the harmful chemicals in common skin care products, Tapper set out to make her own products. Her experience with personal illness — having skin cancer twice — was the basis for RA Island Naturals, a "more natural approach to bath and body care."

"I took a personal need and turned it into a way to approach life in general," said Tapper, a former Air Force member. "I lived in Hawaii for a while and loved the lifestyle. This is a new avenue I'm taking — a more natural approach to bath and body care inspired by the islands."

"We try very hard not to use any preservatives," she said. "Many products, like our body creams, are completely preservative-free."

New to the festival

Also new this year was the New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum. With Bruce Springsteen blaring from the loudspeakers outside, the mobile museum featured individuals who "Lead," "Innovate," "Overcome" and "Speak Up." N.J. Hall of Fame inductee speeches were heard in one exhibit, while another listed the county of origin of various Hall of Famers.

As they exited the museum to the sounds of Frank Sinatra, two teenagers were discussing some of the inductees. Tiffany Magentiran, 17, of East Brunswick expressed surprise at some of the celebrities' roots.

"I knew Bon Jovi was from Sayreville, but I didn't know Judy Blume was even from New Jersey," Magentiran said. "My favorite author is F. Scott Fitzgerald and he (lived in) New Jersey too. I had no idea. I have heard of most of these people but just never knew they came from here."

Flying high

Solberg Airport, host to the annual festival, offers rides in helicopters, a war bird plane and an aircraft trainer. While her older brother Tyler, 9, and sister Tiffany, 13, are old hands at flying, Taylor Taddio, 8, of Holmdel was treated to her first helicopter ride Sunday.

"I got to drive it," Taylor said of her chance to fly and steer the aircraft. "It was fun."

"This is a nice family event. We really look forward to coming here every year," said their father, Rick Taddio. "Tyler really looks forward to flying here. He comes to Thor Solberg to learn to fly. I have a Cessna and every time I am here, it makes me want to take it up."

"It was my first time up," said Mia Ghelase of North Bergen. "It was OK — not so scary. It was really a great experience. I recommend it."

Health and safety concerns

Should any illness or injury befall a festival guest or vendor, the Whitehouse Station Rescue Squad Bike Team was on hand to quickly come to the aid. Field Unit Leader Mike Stano of Neshanic Station said his team of 10 members are there to deliver a "fast response" for those in need.

"We have teams in place in different sections of the fairgrounds at all times," Stano said.

Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield were also on hand to dole out healthy lifestyle advice, giving people the opportunity to get their Body Mass Index (BMI) level and try a healthy smoothie made of strawberry, banana, blueberry and spinach.

"Spinach — that's our secret ingredient," said Horizon BCBS representative Dan Vargas. "We mix up the smoothie by riding a bike. The more you pedal the more it mixes. We're trying to show people how to eat better and stay active."